MyJetstar1

I've had a number of relatively rare cars over the years. I enjoy being out and hearing the "wow, haven't seen one of those before!", and the "where in the world did you find that?" comments. Of course, it is generally because they were incredibly ugly or undesirable when new, but hey, I got tired of having to have $200K Camaros for anyone to enjoy seeing or talking about what I drive. You might be surprised how much you enjoy a car that others don't consider worth much of anything.

As I read through some of the comments, I think the aftermarket and nations seemingly insatiable wants for technology, have been one of the biggest detriments to the 60's and early 70's cars. After all, the only thing better than a 26 inch wheel with a 1 inch sidewall, is a 30 inch wheel with a 1/2 inch sidewall. Although, I do remember relatives "ordering" new cars, and tales of special ordered options. Many of these cars were very much more personalized. Picking engines, transmissions, colors, and even wheel caps. It may be why it seems more acceptable to so call "personalize" these cars, more so than say a Packard Darren. Combine that with the fact that there is still a relatively large number of the "generic" versions of the cars available, not many cringe if it was not a ZL1 or an original 409 car. I like to think that my preferences in youth have kept many restorers going. It wouldn't be a challenge if I hadn't dumped the date coded wheels, yanked out the air conditioning components, and thrown that big block truck motor in there!

Maybe the increased rpm of the starter is messing with the bendix? Are you still using the heavier amp cables? Maybe try starting it with the headlights on and your foot on the brake, to pull the battery down, and see if that changes anything. I don't know, just throwing stuff out there, lol!

I have found the sand blasting cabinet to be one of the most neglected pieces of equipment in the shop. Many feel that if there is media in the bottom of the cabinet, it's all good. I've seen guys use the same media for months, lol! Remember, it is like sandpaper, in that it will eventually wear down. Here are a few tips, that may be redundant to you, but may help the beginner with some common issues. First, the part must be clean. No grease, excessive rust, large loose chunks of paint, etc. The cleaner the part, the longer your media will last. Make sure your dust evacuation system is clean and functioning properly. Empty the dust often, and allow the vacuum to run a little bit after completing the part, so the dust just doesn't settle back into the bin. Also, on occasion, turn the vacuum on, and stir up you media to remove excess dust. The dust is what is contributing to your media sticking to the side of your media bin. Be sure to sift you media often. I do it twice. Once with a screen to filter out large chunks, and then rub it over a small screen to allow dust and too fine media to fall through. You basically just move it around on the second screen, leaving mostly the better media. Then the blaster, itself. Over time, the hose where it connects to the pick-up straw will wear thin. This allows the hose to suck shut, and restricts the flow. Check it on occasion, as I have seen them literally wear through. And finally, check and maintain the tip. when the tip is worn out, it will allow too much media, and make it difficult for gravity to keep up with the demand for media. Also, make sure the unit is grounded so you are not subjected to unnecessary shock therapy, lol! Be sure you are using the right media for the job. Too fine on a really rough part will just break it down fast, and of course, too rough could do irreparable damage to the part. Hope this helps, and happy blasting!

I probably do it the hard way, as with most things. I just highlight and delete the portions of text I don't want to copy.

I had to laugh a little bit when I read your post. I was thinking along similar lines as I watched some of the BJ auction. You certainly get to see some beautiful cars, and I definitely do not watch it to gauge the value of any of my cars, lol! I don't know if there are any "working man" auctions anymore, most of my cars I have bought from "someone who knows a guy that has a car" type thing. It appears you have to drop a 150K, or so, to get a pat on the back from the guy sitting next to you, for a job well done.

I've considered the ol' glass packs. I had more than one car when I was a kid, with a "cherry bomb" sticker on the quarter glass. I don't know if I'm showing my age, or just my stupidity as a kid, but we used to pour gas in them and burn the glass out before they ever went on the car. It was against the law to run strait pipes, so if the officer that pulled me over that day looked under it, it had mufflers!

I have Flowmasters on my Olds, that the previous owner had installed. That big motor sounds great at idle through them, but that is about all. The drone at 40 to 50 mph is so bad, that I have to literally stick my head out the window to maintain eye focus. I am definitely not going through another summer with those things. I'm glad I ran across this string to give some alternative ideas.

Look on the bottom of the metal toy cars for a manufacturer and a number, then enter it in the search box on e-bay. You may find some to compare with. I have several metal toy cars, and ironically the ones worth the most are the ones I didn't like, or play with, for that very reason! They usually need to have all their wheels and most of their paint, to be of much, or any, value.

I think just about any shop can do an alignment if they have access to the specs, most just don't want to mess with older cars. If I send one out with all of the front end redone, it's generally not an issue. On the other hand, if it has not been touched in decades, I get the inevitable phone call "all you need are new tie rod ends, control arm bushings, a few ball joints, and a gear box". Just take some time and make sure everything is usable and safe, before taking it in. It will save you some time and money if you can change worn parts beforehand, and help avoid the inevitable phone call.

I must be an "old soul" because I had driven Lincolns since my mid to late 20's. I definitely didn't fit the target market. For me, it was the comfort. If I have to drive a while, I don't want to feel like I'm sitting on a log wagon. While my truck is plenty roomy enough, it doesn't have that "highway float" I like. In the 2000's, I switched to Cadillac for the power, and sacrificed a bit of the "float". There's probably not a worse investment than a brand new luxury car, though, lol!

Neat little project. A couple of improvements I would consider. Pull the body line down on the door to match the front of the quarter, and tighten the gap up a little at the lower portion, on the front part of the door. Details, details!

A four door car can be a great and economical way to break into the hobby. Is it worth restoring? Well, I think out of a hundred people, you will get a hundred different answers as to the definition of "restoring". That being said, a restoration of every nut and bolt will not likely yield a profit on most any car, the exception being a milestone, or historically significant vehicle. Thankfully, of the people I have restored cars for, they wanted the car more than the money. Similar to the way I wanted a large flat screen. I could have bought one on Craigslist for half price, but I wanted a "fresh" one, and know exactly what I have from day one. The trick, however, is to not bury yourself. Realize that you have to budget the cost of the car, what you are going to do to it, and the realistic amount of value the car will have after improvements have been made. Concentrate on things that have the highest perceived value. Good straight sheet metal, clean functioning wiring of lighting and accessories, and mostly complete and functional drivetrain. Notice the use of the word "functional" as opposed to "restored". If you play your cards right, don't make foolish investments, and have a plan, you can actually come out OK in the end. You may not make a killing, but it could be a sort of hobby savings account in which you get some of your money back to put towards the next , nicer car.

The importer should have just floated the Mini across the Rio Grande. No one would have seen a thing, lol!

Restoration World in Dayton, OH has about everything you can get. They ship anywhere, but are really close to me, so I just go pick it up, and wonder around looking, in the showroom. They've always done me the best on price, it may vary if shipped, though. I could definitely max out a credit card with "I should buy this while I'm here" syndrome, if not careful.

Ahh...to be 16 again! The good thing about that, is a bus should be able to get you to school, if you don't have the most reliable car. I know many suggest a later model car, but the great thing about being 16 is limited responsibilities. Enjoy the next two or three years with the '57, because it's a cold, cruel world out there, lol! I had some dangerously fast cars when I was a kid, the key is to exercise good judgment. Then, when you don't, and almost wipe out another car, remember that!

I wondered, I was trying to add a photo and kept getting little windows that it failed. I just assumed it was my computer, because the problems usually end up being operator error on my part.

Wow, Chris. I think you easily take the "car that has seen and done more than I will in my lifetime" award, lol! That is fantastic! For me, the hobby is much more than just owning a car, or having the best car. It's about reliving old memories, and making new ones along the way. Maintaining and preserving for future generations for years to come. Great job, I love to see them functioning and used as they were designed to be, decades after they could have been long gone.

Thanks for the kind words. I lucked out as far as finding it with such little rust, but it has a really old, bad repaint on it. I think it might be like those dating site pictures. It looks pretty decent in photo's, but you actually say "yikes!" out loud when you see it in person, lol! You just don't see those '59's around here. I think Dad's was pretty rusty in 1970. You've got a keeper!

Nice cars guys! When I was a kid, there was an old Roadmaster buried in the woods close to the house. The story was that it was stolen at one time and abandoned, and no one ever bothered to move it out. When I was about 5 or 6, Dad had a '59 four-door Biscayne. I remember playing in the front yard and when Dad went to turn left into the driveway, a Miamisburg cop tried to pass him on the left, and drilled the car in the side, right in front of me. He cited Dad for no turn signal, and the poor old car was done for. It's a sore subject to this day, he swears he used his turn signal and they were just trying to beat him out of paying for the '59. If I show him the picture of your '59, I'll have to hear the whole story all over again, lol!

After reading some recent posts on "barn finds" and the mention of Bill's 70 El Camino, I'm wondering how many of you have old cars, that you just drive the wheels off of? I'm not talking about historically significant vehicles, but ones you drive to work, to the store, or even park on the street, lol! Pictured is the Jetstar 1 I picked up last summer. Basically, all I have done was put some carpet and a headliner in it, and have driven it a bunch. This one has seen time in the IGA parking lot, the mall, and work. Normally, I'm not a "big car" enthusiast, but this thing has a ton of power, and ride that rivals some new cars. I don't really have any plans for it, other than to keep it dependable, and eventually lose those hideous wheels. The summer before last, I had a 67 Impala. It was horrible looking as the result of the previous owner and a can of spray primer, but I drove it to death. I did end up painting it, because it was white with black primer spots all over it. Kids were starting to "moo" at it when I went to the Dairy Queen, and it was the final straw. Pictures of it wouldn't upload, but trust me, it was hideous. So, what are you driving?

After reading an above post, I went back and viewed the e-bay advertisement. Granted, the seller did seem to describe the car as nearly perfect, you have to take the selling price into consideration. That's not to say it is ok to deceive, but sometimes things really are too good to be true. It sounds like the seller would have been receptive to a professional inspection, so that might be something you want to keep in mind for the future. I know 8K is quite a bit of money, but I really think you got a pretty decent car for the money, and shipping cost are pretty much a given for any vehicle you purchase in the states. I would look at it from the standpoint of not what the car needs, but more of what you don't have to do to it. The paint and body looks decent, appears to be complete and the trim looks nice, a very nice original interior, etc.. Things add up quick. Just put a few finishing touches on it, and drive and enjoy it!

You are right, Joe. I always thought the '69 I had was highly optioned, but turns out not so much. I suppose they all had "driver floor foot ventilation" as well, lol! As far as the gentleman with the Buick, I always say a picture is worth a thousand dollars. Next time, ask for photo's of some key area's, if you are expecting a decent driver. If it's cheap the seller may not want to bother, but if you are spending 10K or so, I would think the seller would spend 20 minutes to sell the car. Just a photo of backing plates and brake lines could determine a $500 difference in value to you.

I might be interested in the El Camino if it is optioned with the "self changing oil and underbody/chassis lubrication system".

Well said. I do restoration for a living. When you have to do everything exactly as it was new, and are restrained from personal creativity, things like this truck happen, lol! It's kind of like being an artist, but you are only allowed to paint copies of other peoples famous paintings. Without some creative outlet, I would have to make a steel ground effects kit for a Caribbean, and we wouldn't want that to happen!